Testosterone for Treating Cachexia in Patients With Squamous Cell Carcinoma

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RATIONALE: Testosterone may lessen weight loss and improve muscle size and strength in patients with cachexia caused by cancer.

PURPOSE: This randomized phase I trial is studying whether testosterone administered during standard of care chemotherapy and/or radiation works by helping patients with squamous cell carcinoma to maintain their body weight and muscle size and strength during treatment.

Changes in serum inflammatory biomarkers and muscle inflammatory cytokines as measured by immunoassay at baseline and 7 weeks [ Time Frame: Baseline and 7 weeks ]

Changes in NF-kB expression as measured by western analysis at baseline and 7 weeks [ Time Frame: Baseline and 7 weeks ]

Secondary Outcome Measures
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Changes in body weight and fat mass as measured by DEXA at baseline and 7 weeks [ Time Frame: Baseline and 7 weeks ]

Energy expenditure and substrate oxidation as measured by indirect calorimetry using expired gases collected and analyzed for oxygen and carbon dioxide concentrations [ Time Frame: Baseline and 7 weeks ]

Quality of Life Measurements. [ Time Frame: Weekly ]

Mood, fatigue, and quality of life as measured by the Medical Outcome Study-Short Form - 36 items (MOS-SF-36), the FACT-G, the Multidimensional Fatigue Symptom Inventory, the Profile of Mood States-Short Form (POMS-SF), the MD Anderson Symptom Inventory (MDASI), and the MD Anderson Brief Fatigue Inventory questionnaires

Physical activity levels, intensities, and energy expenditure as measured by the ActiGraph accelerometer (worn on the hip or ankle) [ Time Frame: Daily ]

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